Quick Answer
The answer is Task B because it is the only task with a negative schedule variance (SV). This occurs when earned value (EV) is less than planned value (PV), meaning the work accomplished is behind what was scheduled. For Task B, the PV is 8 hours, and with 50% completion, the EV is 4, yielding an SV of -4; all other tasks show EV equal to or greater than PV, giving non-negative results. On the CompTIA Project+ PK0-005 exam, negative schedule variance earned value questions test your ability to interpret EV and PV from a table or exhibit, often using the formula SV = EV - PV. A common trap is confusing negative SV with cost variance—remember that negative SV always means behind schedule, not over budget. For a quick memory tip, think "Negative SV? You're behind the curve—EV is lower than PV."
This PK0-005 practice question tests your understanding of project management concepts. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
Refer to the exhibit. Exhibit: Task Status Report Task ID | Planned Effort (hrs) | Actual Effort (hrs) | % Complete Task A | 40 | 45 | 100% Task B | 60 | 55 | 80% Task C | 30 | 20 | 100%
Based on the exhibit, which task is experiencing a schedule variance (SV) that is negative? The project's total planned value (PV) for these tasks is the sum of planned efforts, and earned value (EV) is calculated as % complete * planned effort.
Refer to the exhibit. Exhibit: Task Status Report Task ID | Planned Effort (hrs) | Actual Effort (hrs) | % Complete Task A | 40 | 45 | 100% Task B | 60 | 55 | 80% Task C | 30 | 20 | 100%
Task B
Task B is 80% complete, EV=48, PV=60, SV=-12.
Task C
Why wrong: Task C is 100% complete, EV=PV=30, SV=0.
Task A
Why wrong: Task A is 100% complete, EV=PV=40, SV=0.
None of the tasks have a negative SV.
Why wrong: Task B has negative SV.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Task B
Task B has a negative schedule variance (SV) because its earned value (EV) is less than its planned value (PV). With PV = 8 (planned effort) and EV = 50% * 8 = 4, the SV is 4 - 8 = -4, indicating the task is behind schedule. The other tasks have EV equal to or greater than PV, resulting in non-negative SV.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Task B
Why this is correct
Task B is 80% complete, EV=48, PV=60, SV=-12.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Task C
Why it's wrong here
Task C is 100% complete, EV=PV=30, SV=0.
Task A
Why it's wrong here
Task A is 100% complete, EV=PV=40, SV=0.
None of the tasks have a negative SV.
Why it's wrong here
Task B has negative SV.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates may overlook the calculation for Task B or assume that a task with 100% complete (like Task A or C) automatically has a positive SV, forgetting that SV can be zero when EV equals PV, and only negative when EV is less than PV.
Detailed technical explanation
Schedule variance (SV) is a key earned value management (EVM) metric calculated as EV - PV. A negative SV indicates the work accomplished is less than planned, meaning the task is behind schedule. In this scenario, the PV is the planned effort (e.g., person-hours), and EV is derived from the percentage complete multiplied by that planned effort, making SV a direct measure of schedule performance relative to the baseline.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the PK0-005 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Project Management Concepts — This question tests Project Management Concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Task B — Task B has a negative schedule variance (SV) because its earned value (EV) is less than its planned value (PV). With PV = 8 (planned effort) and EV = 50% * 8 = 4, the SV is 4 - 8 = -4, indicating the task is behind schedule. The other tasks have EV equal to or greater than PV, resulting in non-negative SV.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
This PK0-005 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the PK0-005 exam.
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